Chapter 2Resigning From the Billionaire

Turns out, I couldn't escape the Sterling family.

Julian’s younger brother, Adrian, was running the southern branch of the company.

I was mass-applying for jobs.

I didn't even realize I had applied to be Adrian Sterling's assistant.

The interview process was suspiciously smooth.

Before I knew it, I was Adrian Vance’s executive assistant.

I was responsible for scheduling and day-to-day logistics.

Occasionally getting him coffee.

When the chief of staff was away, I would handle heavy-hitter clients.

For the most part, I didn't have to travel with him.

Overall, the work was administrative but not too grueling.

The pay was excellent.

Combined with the money Julian had given me, I had already bought a nice condo.

With this job, I could have had a stable, peaceful life.

But that was shattered by Adrian’s fiancée.

"Elena? Elena?"

Adrian tapped his desk.

"Surely it doesn't take this long to think about it. Why the hesitation? You don't like the sound of him?"

He was smiling, but there was a hint of irritation in his voice.

I finished organizing his schedule and pushed the planner toward him.

"From eleven to eleven-thirty, you have a briefing. At noon, you have lunch with Junior Li. His family just had some good news, so I’ve prepared a gift for you to take. From two to four PM,靳Mr. Jin wants to golf, but Mr. Kent wants to go riding at the same time. Schedules conflict; you need to decide which to cancel. At five, a client tour of the R&D center, then signing the contract, followed by dinner at the Estate. The menu is set—Cantonese style. It is currently ten-forty-three. Junior Li mentioned several VPs want to brief you early, so you can talk to them now."

I paused for a few seconds, then spoke again.

"As for the blind date with your brother, I’m going to have to pass."

Adrian leaned back in his executive chair.

He tapped his foot, spinning the chair slightly.

He stared at me for a long moment, looking thoughtful.

"Hmm."

He had a half-smile on his face. "Elena, are you hiding something from me?"

I said, "I know your brother."

To say we "dated" felt too heavy.

No family or friends knew; it didn't feel like a real relationship.

"Oh, you know him?"

He nodded.

His foot suddenly stopped tapping.

He studied my expression, took a breath, and spoke with certainty.

"No way. No way. You were with my brother, weren't you?"

Even though I was used to the casual contempt of the upper class.

Hearing him use the phrase "were with" still stung.

I managed to say, "Yes."

He immediately jumped up, smiling as he ushered me over to the sofa.

He was suddenly all attention, even pouring me a cup of tea.

"Come on, you have to know who gave birth to his daughter, right?"

"None of us brothers could ever get it out of him."

"He hates kids, so he must have really loved that woman to keep the baby."

"Since you guys were together, spill. Who was the one he spoiled the most?"

Who was it?

Was it that girl he was willing to take shopping?

Or maybe, that was just another woman in his life.

I tightened my lips.

"I don't know who he liked the most, but it wasn't me."

Adrian let out a laugh.

"A lot of resentment there, huh? My brother shouldn't be stingy, though."

"Maybe he is stingy with some people. When I was with him, I lived in a crappy rented apartment."

Adrian’s expression froze for a few seconds.

His jaw literally dropped in disbelief.

"You lived where?"

He repeated.

"You lived in a crappy rented apartment? He let you live in a place like that?"

I gave a silent, bitter smile.

"Not really. I rented it myself. He didn't live with me."

"Holy shit. He wouldn't even cover your rent? That’s low."

Adrian smoothed his jacket, got up, and started pacing.

He kept glancing at me.

"I wouldn't have pegged you for the romantic type, Elena... with your looks, asking for a condo wouldn't have been too much. Why didn't you think to take him for all he was worth?"

He was appraising me, calculating my value.

If this had been the old me, I would have cursed him out.

I adjusted my expression, lowering my posture.

"I was young and naive."

I cracked a weak joke.

"Considering that, maybe increase my severance package a bit?"

There was a knock on the door.

An employee poked their head in.

"Mr. Sterling, the meeting is starting."

Adrian nodded, adjusting his collar.

I stepped forward quickly to hold the door for him.

He grabbed his folder, ignoring me as he walked past.

"You're not being fired. Go back to work."